Vacuum-sealed container

ABSTRACT

A vacuum-sealed container includes a flexible waterproof plastic bag on which there are a plurality of inflatable C-shaped tubular ribs and a plurality of horizontal tubular inflatable ribs, the horizontal tubular ribs being connected internally and externally to the C-shaped tubular ribs, and on one of the C-shaped tubular ribs there is a nozzle through which air can be forced into the C-shaped tubular ribs and tubular horizontal ribs to form a three-dimensional container, thereby providing a space for storing articles, the bag having an open end for putting articles therein, whereby the vacuum-sealed container can be inflated and kept on a flat surface to form a three-dimensional container thereby making it easier to put articles inside the bag and enabling it to become flat and foldable when not in use, and therefore isolating the articles from water, moisture and mildew.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] This invention is related to a vacuum-sealed container, in particular to one which can be adjusted in volume so as to store the articles that are not often used or the articles that must be separated from water and moisture.

[0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art

[0004] As air contains a lot of moisture, it will cause corrosion of metallic objects. Hence, dehumidifiers have been developed to remove excessive water from the air, but the effect is limited, and they cannot achieve the purpose of storing articles such as thick clothing, cotton clothing and large electronic products. Therefore, vacuum-sealed bags have been developed to meet this purpose. The conventional vacuum-sealed bag generally has a plastic body portion with an entrance having a seal, and the other side of the plastic bag body has an orifice for the extraction of air from the bag. When in use, the article to be stored is first put inside the plastic bag body through the entrance, and then the seal is closed and a pump is used to extract air out of the bag body so as to create a vacuum condition inside the bag body, thereby achieving the purpose of storing the bag articles in a vacuum condition for a long time.

[0005] Although the conventional vacuum sealed bag basically fulfills the requirements of the common consumer, there are still the following drawbacks: As such vacuum-sealed bag has to be arranged on a flat surface so that when in use, it is necessary to open the bag from a side angle, making it inconvenient to use, particularly when large articles must be placed therein.

[0006] Therefore it is an object of the present invention to provide an improvement in the structure of a vacuum-sealed container which can obviate and mitigate the above-mentioned drawbacks.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] This invention is related to a vacuum-sealed container, in particular to one which can be adjusted in volume so as to store the articles that are not often used or the articles that must be separated from water and moisture.

[0008] It is the primary object of the present invention to provide an improvement in the structure of a vacuum-sealed container, which can be inflated and kept on a flat surface to form a three-dimensional container as with the conventional vacuum-sealed container, and can become flat and foldable when not in use.

[0009] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a vacuum-sealed container includes a flexible waterproof plastic bag on which there are a plurality of inflatable C-shaped tubular ribs and a plurality of horizontal tubular inflatable ribs, the horizontal tubular ribs being connected internally and externally to the C-shaped tubular ribs, and on one of the C-shaped tubular ribs there is a nozzle through which air can be forced into the C-shaped tubular ribs and tubular horizontal ribs to form a three-dimensional container, thereby providing a space for storing articles, the bag having an open end for putting articles therein, whereby the vacuum-sealed container can be inflated and kept on a flat surface to form a three-dimensional container thereby making it easier to put articles inside the bag and enabling it to become flat and foldable when not in use, and therefore isolating the articles from water, moisture and mildew.

[0010] The foregoing object and summary provide only a brief introduction to the present invention. To fully appreciate these and other objects of the present invention as well as the invention itself, all of which will become apparent to those skilled in the art, the following detailed description of the invention and the claims should be read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Throughout the specification and drawings identical reference numerals refer to identical or similar parts.

[0011] Many other advantages and features of the present invention will become manifest to those versed in the art upon making reference to the detailed description and the accompanying sheets of drawings in which a preferred structural embodiment incorporating the principles of the present invention is shown by way of illustrative example.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the present invention;

[0013]FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the present invention; and

[0014]FIGS. 3A, 3B and 3C illustrate how the present invention is used.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0015] For the purpose of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the embodiment illustrated in the drawings. Specific language will be used to describe same. It will, nevertheless, be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended, alterations and further modifications in the illustrated device, and further applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated herein being contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates.

[0016] With reference to the drawings, and in particular to FIGS. 1 and 2 thereof, the vacuum-sealed container according to the present invention comprises a flexible waterproof plastic bag 1, on which there are a plurality of inflatable C-shaped tubular ribs 10 and a plurality of horizontal tubular inflatable ribs 11 for reinforcing the structure. The horizontal tubular ribs 11 are connected internally and externally to the C-shaped tubular ribs 10 and on one of the C-shaped tubular ribs 10 there is a nozzle 12, through which air can be forced into the C-shaped tubular ribs 10 and tubular horizontal ribs 11 to form a three-dimensional container, thereby providing a space 2 for storing articles. The bag 1 has an open end 20 provided with a seal 13 so that the bag 1 can be open or closed as required. A lateral side of the bag 1 is connected with a hose 14 having an outer end provided with a seal 13.

[0017] When in use, the bag 1 is first arranged on a flat surface and then an air pump (not shown) is connected to the nozzle 12 for forcing air into the C-shaped tubular ribs 10 and the horizontal tubular ribs 11 to inflate the bag 1 into a three-dimensional container thereby providing a space 2 for storing articles. Hence, articles such as thick clothing, cotton clothing, electronic devices, computers, computer peripherals, radios, cameras, optical disc drives, fax machines, and the like can be put into the space 2 through the open end 20 of the bag 1. As the articles occupy about 80 percents of the space 2, the seal 13 is closed to shut the open end 20. Thereafter, the nozzle 12 is opened to let off air from the C-shaped tubular ribs 10 and the horizontal tubular ribs 11 and a vacuum pump (not shown) is connected with the hose 14 to extract air out of the space 2 thereby creating a vacuum condition within the bag 1. Finally, the outer end of the hose 14 is closed by the seal 3 to isolate the articles within the bag 1 from the outside. FIGS. 3A, 3B and 3C illustrate how the present invention is used.

[0018] In conclusion, the vacuum-sealed container according to the present invention can be inflated and kept on a flat surface to form a three-dimensional container thereby making it easier to put articles inside the bag, and enabling it to become flat and foldable when not in use. Accordingly, the articles will be separated from water, moisture and mildew thus prolonging the service life thereof. It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or two or more together may also find a useful application in other types of methods differing from the type described above.

[0019] While certain novel features of this invention have been shown and described and are pointed out in the annexed claim, it is not intended to be limited to the details above, since it will be understood that various omissions, modifications, substitutions and changes in the forms and details of the device illustrated and in its operation can be made by those skilled in the art without departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention. 

I claim:
 1. A vacuum-sealed container comprising a flexible waterproof plastic bag on which there are a plurality of inflatable C-shaped tubular ribs and a plurality of horizontal tubular inflatable ribs, said horizontal tubular ribs being connected internally and externally to said C-shaped tubular ribs, and on one of said C-shaped tubular ribs there is a nozzle through which air can be forced into said C-shaped tubular ribs and tubular horizontal ribs to form a three-dimensional container, thereby providing a space for storing articles, said bag having an open end for putting articles therein.
 2. The vacuum-sealed container as claimed in claim 1, wherein said open end of said bag is provided with a seal.
 3. The vacuum-sealed container as claimed in claim 1, wherein a lateral side of said bag has a hose having an outer end provided with a seal. 